What Effects Are Patent Reform Measures Having on the Number of Parties and Patent Cases Being Filed?

There has been much speculation on how patent reform will affect the number of patent cases filed in the courts, with particular interest focusing on how many parties will be involved in those suits.

Here is what we found using Docket Navigator. In the 45 day period (8/2/11 - 9/15/11) prior to the America Invents Act (AIA), 265 complaints were filed in the top six district courts (courts with the greatest number of patent cases filed), involving 2,272 unique parties. In those same courts during the 45 day period following the AIA (9/16/11 - 10/31/11) 248 complaints were filed, but they involved only 848 parties.

We also looked at that same time period exactly one year prior for comparison. In the 45 day period before 9/15/2010 (twelve months prior to the AIA) 147 complaints were filed, involving 940 unique parties. During the 45 day period after 9/15/2010, 169 complaints were filed, involving 940 parties. (Click on the charts below to zoom in)